Tuesday 26th August 2025

Opinion

The Encaenia is PR without the public (or anyone else)

Wholesale reform is the last thing Encaenia needs. If only people knew what it is, it would be a well-suited PR exercise for a modern Oxford.

This is how we combat the crusade against universities

It’s easy to think of an arts degree as a fruitless pleasure. But education and academic study are intrinsically valuable.

From pensioners to students, all should fear the Palestine Action ban

If you think this is a win for one side over the other in relation to Israel’s war on Gaza, be careful what you wish for.

Trashing rules save face, not students

Trashing is banned. But what does the banning achieve except pushing students further from...

The Cult of the MacBook

David Lawton argues that the omnipresence of the MacBook reflects the privileged nature of Oxford University

Our crisis of home ownership

Freddie Hopkinson assesses government attempts to resolve the affordable housing crisis

Debate: Should we remember the fifth of November?

Neha Shah and Daniel Minister discuss the popular villainy of Guy Fawkes

The International Student: welcoming China with open arms

Robbie Qiu argues that the visit of President Xi Jinping to the UK should be viewed positively by the British media

Interview: Jacob-Rees Mogg

Rory Fraser talks filibuster, rebellion and Jeremy Corbyn with the eccentric Tory MP

Please leave university news to us

Hannah Foxton argues that the national press should pay less attention to Oxford and Cambridge

Oxstew: Study finds fossil fuel companies most ethical

Fossil fuel companies really are the most ethical

The American Dream: more real than ever before

Daniel Kodsi disputes the common narrative that the American Dream is fading

Cultural appropriation is not OK

Tyler Allen urges students to think about their costumes this Halloween

Oxford’s mental health: time for change

Is it time for a major shift in Oxford's approach to mental health?

The scattergun attack on extremism

Daniel Sutton argues that the government's new extremism measures require more precision and less rhetoric

Human rights, not financial gain

Neha Shah argues that the UK government should not be doing deals with the oppressive Saudi regime

Promoting sustainable development

Becky Shortt asks how we can make a difference alongside the UN's new sustainable development goals

The International Student: America needs a UCAS

Daniel Kodsi argues that America's university admissions system could learn much from the British model

Interview: Eric Cantor

Patrick Mulholland talks politics with the American politician, lawyer and businessman

Islamophobia and Great British Bake Off

Simran Uppal discusses the how Islamophobia can be overcome after the GBBO result

Debate: Should we have trigger warnings in academia?

Niloo Sharifi and Lucy Valsamidis discuss the latest trend in feminist blogging

The International Student: An Ode to Angie

Henner Petin assesses Angela Merkel's recent career

Interview: Bishop of Los Angeles, Robert Barron

Joshua Caminiti discusses the position of the Catholic Church with the Bishop of LA

In defence of the Union

Rory Turnbull offers a rebuttal to all those who seek to condemn the Oxford Union

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